Page 22 of Bonds of Pain
I blink, caught off guard by his bluntness. “Excuse me?”
“I said you look like shit. Like you’re about to pass out.” He steps closer, and I resist the urge to back away. “How do you feel?”
The question is so unexpected I can’t immediately form a response. Is this some kind of trick? A new angle to get under my skin?
“Why do you care?” I ask, unable to keep the suspicion from my voice.
“Contrary to what you might think, I’m not completely heartless.” Something flickers across his face—an emotion I can’t quite place. “You obviously went through a hell of a heat. If I didn’t see all this coming, then that almost certainly means you didn’t either. Must be a lot to process.”
I search his face for mockery but find none. The realization is unsettling. It’s easier when they’re all monsters through and through.
“I’m fine.”
He nods along with me, gaze still unwavering. “Then I have something to show you. You up for a field trip?”
“A field trip?” I can’t help the skeptical edge in my voice. “To where exactly?”
Poe’s expression remains unreadable, his scent of driftwood and sea salt giving away nothing of his intentions. “Nowhere important. But it might help you better understand what you’ve gotten yourself into.”
My instincts scream caution. This is the man who watches from shadows, who everyone whispers about when they think no one’s listening. The royal assassin.
“Why would you help me?” I ask, crossing my arms protectively over my chest. “You made it pretty clear at breakfast that you think I’m just a problem to be managed.”
“Did I?” His dark eyes narrow slightly. “Or did I just not rush to your defense while Ares was being an ass?”
I hesitate, replaying the breakfast conversation in my mind. He hadn’t actually joined in when Ares made his crude comments.
“Look,” Poe continues, “you can stay here and wallow like a prisoner in solitary confinement, or you can come with me and maybe learn something useful. Your choice.”
The wordprisonerhits like a slap to the face. That’s exactly what this is, a beautiful prison with four permanent jailers. I’m surprised he even realizes this bond might not be my dream come true.
“Logan will know if I leave,” I say, absentmindedly reaching to touch my neck before catching myself and ripping my handaway. The damn bite pulses like a lure, its twin on my back echoing in a discordant rhythm.
Poe’s mouth quirks in what might almost be a smile. “Not if we’re quick. He’s in meetings all morning, and Cillian will be with him. They won’t notice a thing if we’re back within an hour.”
I shouldn’t trust him. I have absolutely no reason to. But the alternative is sitting alone in a room that doesn’t belong to me, waiting for my captors to return.
And if I want to sow discord between them, this might be an unexpected opportunity.”
“Fine,” I say, squaring my shoulders. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise. Get dressed and meet me at the door in five minutes.” Poe replies with a faint smirk. “Wear something you don’t mind getting dirty.”
Ihurry back to Logan’s bedroom, my mind racing with suspicion and curiosity. What could Poe possibly want to show me? Is this a trap, or does he genuinely have information that might help me navigate this nightmare?
After digging through my wardrobe in Logan’s closet that is exclusively frilly confections of skirts and dresses, I abandon the fruitless search and help myself to Cillian’s small dresser instead. He and I are close enough in size that I can manage a pair of his pants if I use a belt on the tightest notch and don’t mind tripping a bit over the legs that entirely cover my feet. One of his shirts is long enough to almost hit my knees before I tuck it in, but the collar doesn’t fall off my shoulders like one borrowed from Logan, or another Alpha, would.
The dark pants and shirt aren’t fancy, nothing that screams my new status as bonded mate of a prince. Hopefully, Poe isn’t planning to take me anywhere that might matter.
Eventually, Logan and I will have an official bonding ceremony and be presented as mates to the entire court. The thought of it is enough to make my stomach turn.
Five minutes later, I meet Poe at the door as promised. His eyebrow quirks as he gives my outfit a quick once-over, but he eventually nods his approval.
“Follow me,” he says, turning on his heel without waiting for my response.
I trail behind him through the palace corridors, taking mental notes of our path so I don’t fixate on our possible destination.
We turn a corner and suddenly find ourselves in a busier section of the palace. Servants carrying linens and trays hustle past, guards stand at attention, and what I assume are courtiers drift by in expensive fabrics and glittering jewelry.
